Bhagara Baingan

Ingredients:

Brinjal - small ones (whole slit in the center on both sides)

For Gravy:

Til (white) - 1 or 2 tsp,
Groundnut - a handful,
Cloves - 2 or 3,
Cinnamon - 1" stick,
Dry Red Chilli - as reqd,
Dry Coconut (copra) - grated 1 tbsp,
Dry Dhaniya - 1 tsp,
Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp,
Jeera - 1 tsp,
Tamarind - 1/2 cup thick pulp,
Salt - to taste,
Oil - 5 to 6 tbsp For tadka

Jeera - 1/2 tsp,
Mustard - 1/2 tsp,
Curry leaves

Method:

1. Fry all ingredients for gravy (except tamarind, salt, oil) individually over low heat, till you get the aroma.
2. Grind the above to a fine paste.
3. Heat oil in a kadai/wok. Add the brinjal and fry till it is little soft. Add the ground paste. Fry.
4. Add tamarind paste, salt and water. Let it boil. You can see the oil coming to the top.
5. In another pan, heat a tsp of oil, add jeera, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add this to above gravy.